September 19, 1957

rand Forks, N.D., Sept. 18 (AP) -- Trumpet player Louis Armstrong said last night he had given up plans for a Government-sponsored trip to the Soviet Union because "the way they are treating my people in the South, the Government can go to hell."

Here for a concert, Mr. Armstrong said President Eisenhower had "no guts" and described Gov. Orval E. Faubus of Arkansas as an "uneducated plow boy."

He said the President was "two-faced" and had allowed Governor Faubus to run the Federal Government.

"It's getting almost so bad a colored man hasn't got any country," the Negro entertainer said.

"Don't get me wrong," he added, "the South is full of intelligent white people, it's bad for the lower class people who make all the noise, though."

He said if he ever did go to the Soviet Union, "I'll do it on my own."

In Washington the State Department declined to comment on Mr. Armstrong's statements. Officials made no attempt, however, to hide the concern they caused.

Mr. Armstrong was regarded by the State Department as perhaps the most effective unofficial goodwill ambassador this country had.

They said Soviet propagandists undoubtedly would seize on Mr. Armstrong's words.